Hugh's Posts

Hi Hugh, Sure thing. Great question! Aortic valve repair can indeed be an option for patients with a bicuspid aortic valve, especially if the valve is leaky (regurgitation) rather than too tight (stenosis). Repairing a bicuspid valve often involves reshaping the leaflets or creating a third leaflet to improve function. As for the surgical approach, minimally invasive techniques, such as keyhole surgery, can be used for aortic valve repair. These approaches typically involve smaller incisions, which can lead to quicker recovery times and less discomfort. However, the suitability of minimally invasive techniques depends on the specific condition of the valve and the patient's overall health. It's important to consult with a cardiac surgeon who has experience with bicuspid aortic valve repair to determine the best approach for your situation. If you have more questions or need further information, feel free to ask. Or, you can always try our AI-Powered Heart Valve Chatbot that was built with over 100 heart valve experts. Here's the link - https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/chatbot/.

Hi Hugh, Interesting question... I was curious. So, I just asked the Heart Valve Chatbot your question. Here's the response... That's an excellent point, and I'm glad you brought it up. When it comes to bicuspid aortic valve repair, creating a third leaflet is generally not the standard approach. Instead, surgeons often focus on reshaping the existing leaflets to improve their function. For bicuspid valves, the repair typically involves techniques such as: Dividing the raphe: This frees up the conjoined leaflet, allowing for better movement. Reshaping the leaflets: This can involve suturing techniques to improve the symmetry and function of the valve. Reinforcing the valve: Sometimes, the annulus (the ring of the valve) is reinforced to ensure proper leaflet coaptation and prevent leakage. These techniques aim to preserve the native valve structure while improving its function. It's important to consult with a surgeon experienced in bicuspid valve repair to understand the specific techniques that might be used in your case. If you have more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask.

I’m 14 months post-surgery and my exercise ability hasn’t completely recovered yet. If you are asymptomatic, don’t have an aneurysm, and your stenosis/regurgitation isn’t severe yet, I’d wait. Keep working on your health and exercise. It will benefit your recovery when it comes time for surgery. Think of it like a Goldilocks problem: you need to be sick enough to warrant the risks of surgery and healthy enough to survive surgery. It sounds like you aren’t sick enough yet to warrant the risks.

I concur on waiting (with cardiologist advice). The heart can often compensate for valve issues when you have a healthy lifestyle. If you are asymptomatic your valve is probably not "holding you back". I especially agree with John's Goldilocks advice. The risk is not worth it yet, if you are still feeling healthy. While heart surgery like this is a lot more common, you never know what complications may occur since every body reacts differently.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I should also mention I am 77 and, whilst I was still running marathons at 70, once I got to 75, I really slowed down and was banned from marathons. Now I just combine a lot of walking with regular jogs on the treadmill and strength training in the gym

I am in NC. I "failed" a stress test and was told I needed a new valve. I did get a second opinion from a friend who said I could easily go two more years. He also said that if I was ready it would not hurt to have it now. I was asymptomatic but in great shape. I decided to have it replaced (bovine) and did not regret the decision. I was 63 at the time. Do what is best or you

TAVR is a way to replace the aortic valve, and does not address the aortic dilatation issue. But if the dilatation doesn’t progress to aneurysm size, that might be a possibility. If you have a bicuspid aortic valve though, TAVR isn’t always recommended as the first choice, since the shape of the bicuspid valve does not always allow the TAVR to be seated well without leaking. Those are things your doc could discuss with you for your own particular situation.